Expand / Collapse search
☰
Winter Storm Warning
until SUN 10:00 AM PST, West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes
6
River Flood Warning
from SUN 8:18 AM PST until MON 1:32 AM PST, Mason County
Winter Weather Advisory
until SUN 10:00 AM PST, Wenatchee Area
Flood Watch
until SUN 10:00 AM PST, Willapa Hills, South Washington Coast
Flood Watch
from SUN 1:00 PM PST until TUE 4:00 AM PST, Grays Harbor County, Lewis County, Thurston County
Special Weather Statement
until SUN 2:15 PM PST, Seattle and vicinity, Western Whatcom County, Western Skagit County, Everett and vicinity, West Slopes North Cascades and Passes, West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes, East Puget Sound Lowlands, Bellevue and Vicinity, Seattle and vicinity, Bremerton and vicinity, Tacoma Area, Hood Canal Area, Olympics, Lower Chehalis Valley Area, Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, Western Strait of Juan De Fuca, North Coast, Central Coast, West Slopes South Central Cascades and Passes, Southwest Interior

Officials identify man shot and killed by police near Tacoma Mall

Published 
News
Associated Press

Tacoma police shoot and kill man outside mall

Police say they shot and killed an armed suspect outside the Tacoma Mall

TACOMA, Wash. - Officials have released the name of a 37-year-old man police shot to death near the Tacoma Mall last week.

Michael Mercado, of Ruston, died March 16 outside a residential building close to the west entrance of the mall, The News Tribune reported.

Officers were called about 3:30 p.m. and had a confrontation with Mercado, who was shot multiple times, authorities said.

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team is investigating the police shooting and has not released any details about the incident, including why police were initially called to the area, or how many officers fired their weapons.

It's unclear what led up to the shooting, but a witness video shows the moment shots were fired.

The video starts with an officer back-peddling from a patrol car, a man comes from the front of the vehicle. You can hear in the video, the officer yell a command out before two loud bangs are heard, and the man falls to the ground. 

The officer moves to the sidewalk, and you can hear them say "shots fired, shots fired," and "…one down."

No officers were injured. Police say a handgun was found near Mercado’s body.

Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram